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Golf Course Review River Ridge Golf Course VICTORIA LAKES Oxnard California

River Ridge Golf Course (Lakes)

Golf Course Review River Ridge Golf Course VICTORIA LAKES Oxnard California

Reviewed by: t8fish, Altadena

Golf Playing Conditions 6.04 GOOD
Golf Playing Conditions 6.04 GOOD

Trying to be brief. GK match teeing off at 10:50 as a twosome. Course is in nice shape overall. Teeing grounds all good; fairways nice with some run-out to them; rough anything from underbrush to recoverable but overall well grown in; and green surrounds good length for short game. Bunkers were firm-ish and a touch damp to greater or lesser degrees and bit tougher to play, with some dry and more playable. I’d say the greens were medium quick on average, which wasn’t a bad speed but not near the pace customarily found here.

Usual precautions, no cart service and no water stations, but course bathrooms were open. About a five hour round, started out grey with an inconsistent one-club breeze most of the time and nice clearing and sun for the last few holes. Recommended.

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Golf Course Review River Ridge Golf Course VINEYARD COURSE Oxnard California

River Ridge Golf Course (Vineyard)

Golf Course Review River Ridge Golf Course VINEYARD COURSE Oxnard California

Reviewed by: t8fish, Altadena
Returning from Santa Barbara on Saturday, 5/25, I decided to take advantage of the Memorial weekend $22-to-walk rate RR was offering.

Playing Conditions 7.05 GREAT
Playing Conditions 7.05 GREAT

I lived in Ventura for a while back in the early ’80s and had not been back to play RR until relatively recently — a few years back and long after the completion of the Lakes course. I took this opportunity to play the reconfigured Vineyard course for the first time, getting out early afternoon as a single with no one in front of me.

I’d say the overall conditions were pretty good, and actually comparable to the conditions at Sandpiper a couple of days before. Good teeing grounds, playable rough, similar fairways, green, leaning towards tight with good roll-out. Bunkers were good, clean and playable while the greens were firm and pretty quick. I noticed the first green had a bit of a cauliflower looking texture to it but it didn’t seem to affect the roll. I don’t recall seeing it on the other greens.

The holes that had not been reconfigured since the old days elicited a bit of nostalgia in me and I appreciated the familiarity. But while I enjoyed it in general, now that I can compare it to the Lakes course, I definitely prefer the Lakes. I think one reason is that the Lake course is at least as challenging but more out in front of you as to what you need to do while Vineyard has more blind shots. That’s all personal opinion and not a comment on the conditions, which were fine. Based on conditions, I’d definitely recommend it.

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Golf Course Review River Ridge Golf Course LAKES Oxnard California

River Ridge Golf Course (Lakes)

Golf Course Review River Ridge Golf Course LAKES Oxnard California

Reviewed by: JohnnyGK, Thousand Oaks

Golf Playing Conditions 6.86 GOOD
Golf Playing Conditions 6.86 GOOD

Was great seeing mpisarski01, kviser, larryq2001, dsal_13 and Mattias. Put this round together on late notice and really appreciate those that could join me. I want to find a way to get together with GK’ers on just about every weekend. For me, as brutal as the high winds, cold temps, wet conditions, excruciating slow pace (due to a tournament) and very poor play on my part was … awesome time as always with GK’ers! Afterwards kviser, Mattias and I went over to the Ventura Harbor for some clam chowder and beers. Golf is best with friends no matter. Thank You.

The Review

The course, greens in very nice condition, running mostly smooth, fast (can only imagine how fast they will be when they dry out more) and holding shots. I found many bunkers and they were all in good shape. Was impressed how well they had drained. No standing water and not that moist. Fairways are Bermuda turf with sprinkles of Poa dotted only because of the wet winter season, come late spring, summer and fall when they are in season, they should be beautiful. Rough is a mixture of many grasses and varying in length, had many experiences due to being wild off the tee, it’s pretty easy to escape from. Tee boxes thin, level with some divot damage (we played the blue tees).

With the high winds coming off the ocean from the NW holes 1, 2, 6, 8, 13, 15 are super tough into the wind. Holes 7 and 12 have large water hazards on the right so that wind can grab your ball and easily deposit it into the drink. Holes 17 and 18 play straight downwind so that’s a nice almost too little too late breather. I love this layout. It destroys me just about every time. I’ve played it well over 20 times and have only had a couple great performances. I’ll be back for sure to take it on again.

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Recent Golf Course Review River Ridge Golf Course (LAKES) Oxnard California

River Ridge Golf Course (Lakes)

Oxnard, CA

ALERT: Aeration

Golf Playing Conditions 7.38 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 7.38 GREAT


Will be aerating the Victoria Lakes Course greens 4/23 – 4/26, reopening 4/27.
* Although Greenskeeper.org researches all alerts before posting, we ask that you please contact the golf course for confirmation.

Reviewed by: kviser, Saugus, CA

I played here last Friday morning, teeing off a little after 10:00. I had a free birthday round and was walking, so no charge at all!

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River Ridge Golf Club - Hole 7 tee box
River Ridge Golf Club (LAKES)- Hole 7 tee box

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River Ridge Golf Club - Hole 16 greenside
River Ridge Golf Club (LAKES) – Hole 16 greenside

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The course was a little wet in most areas and the right side of hole 1 approach was saturated enough to have standing water despite being on a hill. Green speed displayed on the starters shed read 10’-10”, but I would say it was slower than that. No severe ball marks or damage of any kind on the greens or anywhere else. Many bunkers had to be drained and raked. I saw at least one Greenskeeper working on it; I was in several bunkers and mostly they were all drained and raked except maybe one left of hole 11. Tees were nice and level. Overall the course is in good winter condition with a mix of dormant warm season grasses and some greener poa and rye.

One of the best value courses around. Recommend you play it before aerification.

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Recent Golf Course Review River Ridge Golf Course LAKES Oxnard California

River Ridge Golf Course (Lakes)

Oxnard, CA

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River Ridge Golf Club - Hole 16 greenside
River Ridge Golf Club (LAKES) – Hole 16 greenside

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 River Ridge Golf Course - Ventura County
Best Playing Conditions 2017 River Ridge Golf Course – Ventura County

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Reviewed by: t8fish, Altadena
Friday, 1.26, got out around 10:15 this morning for my free birthday round, paired up with a threesome of young Coast Guards and my dog, all of which were good company. We got around in about 4.25 hrs.

Golf Playing Conditions 8.33 GREAT
Golf Playing Conditions 8.33 GREAT

I don’t get out to RR very often, but the Lakes course is on my list of favorite all around courses. Value, conditions, layout, facilities, accessibility, dog friendly and as good a birthday deal as you will find.

I wasn’t disappointed today and the all-around conditions were very good.

Tees boxes were level, clean and well covered. The winter fairways were like hitting off a soft indoor/outdoor carpet — somewhat tight but with a cushiony base to it that made for a nice hitting surface that had a good deal of roll-out. Winter coloring not withstanding, I don’t recall any bare or thin patches as in hard-pan type thin. The rough was generally consistent on the playable side. I was in some bunkers and they were clean and groomed with a nice medium density sand. Relatively tight around the greens, you frequently had the option to chip or putt from beyond the apron. The greens themselves were rated 11.5 and that’s about how they felt —challenging and quick, clean, demanding your attention but not unfair.

Beautiful weather, temperature was perfect with a 1.5 to 2 club breeze at times. I can’t think of a negative in the conditions and I’d play it again at the drop of a hat.

River Ridge Golf Club Oxnard California GK Coupon & Golf Tee Time Special
River Ridge Golf Club Oxnard California GK Coupon & Golf Tee Time Special

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River Ridge Golf Club - Hole 7 tee box
River Ridge Golf Club (LAKES)- Hole 7 tee box

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River Ridge Golf Club - breathtaking tee
River Ridge Golf Club (LAKES) – breathtaking tee

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BREAKING: Greenskeeper.Org Awards Top Golf Courses Best Playing Conditions 2017

Greenskeeper.org Awards Best Playing Conditions 2017

Greenskeeper.Org Awards Top Golf Courses Best Playing Conditions 2017

Greenskeeper.Org "Know Before You Go®"
Greenskeeper.Org “Know Before You Go®”

Greenskeeper.org proudly presents it’s Best Playing Conditions Awards for 2017.

Not to be confused with “Worth the Green Fee,” “Best Playing Conditions” is awarded to golf courses open to the public listed on Greenskeeper.org that stand out above the rest with our site users at providing consistently the best greens, fairways, rough, tee boxes and bunkers around.

The job of the superintendent is the life blood of the golf course industry and most important contributing factor to enjoying a golf experience.  It takes enormous dedication, resources and expertise by a superintendent and their staff to provide excellent turf conditions.  A golf course is a living, breathing organism whose health is constantly in flux. Greenskeeper.org’s trademark and creed, “Know Before You Go”®, centers on communicating these current playing conditions. The rating system used on Greenskeeper.org is in part created by superintendents.

How Awards Winners Are Determined

Golf Course reviews and ratings submitted by our 70,000+ Greenskeeper.org community are tabulated over 12 months. Winners are determined for each area.

We divide awards into 11 sections —  Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Palm Springs Area, San Diego County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, Southern California, Central California, Northern California and Southern Nevada.

Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA
Greenskeeper.Org Awarded For the Good of the Game Award 2017 by the CGCOA

We provide the list below in no particular order.  This is done on purpose.  Any golf course that provides outstanding conditions in their region should not overshadow other golf courses simply because of their location.  For most avid golfers, the playing experience is what matters.  Knowing where to play in your area is important.

Editor’s Note:  Johnny GK and Greenskeeper.Org has been recognized by the California Golf Course Owners Association as Good for the Game of Golf in 2017.  Shows you that both golfers and golf course operators understand the benefit of working with Greenskeeper.Org.  We are the RESOURCE where avid and casual golfers come to make their decision where to play their next round.  “Know Before You Go”® with Greenskeeper.Org.  You’ll be glad you did.

And Now our Winners for Best Playing Conditions for 2017 (in no particular order). . .

Click on images below to visit their Golf Course Home Page on Greenskeeper.Org.

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 Rams Hill Golf Club - Southern California
Best Playing Conditions 2017 Rams Hill Golf Club – Southern California

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Greenskeeper.Org Awards Best Playing Conditions for 2016
Check our our Previous Winners Best Playing Conditions for 2016

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 Half Moon Bay Golf Links - Northern California
Best Playing Conditions 2017 Half Moon Bay Golf Links – Northern California

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 Wolf Creek Golf Club - Southern Nevada
Best Playing Conditions 2017 Wolf Creek Golf Club – Southern Nevada

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 Indian Wells Golf Resort - Palm Springs Region
Best Playing Conditions 2017 Indian Wells Golf Resort – Palm Springs Region

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 Trump National Golf Club - Los Angeles County
Best Playing Conditions 2017 Trump National Golf Club – Los Angeles County

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 Journey at Pechanga - Inland Empire
Best Playing Conditions 2017 Journey at Pechanga – Inland Empire

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 River Ridge Golf Course - Ventura County
Best Playing Conditions 2017 River Ridge Golf Course – Ventura County

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 La Purisima Golf Course - Santa Barbara County
Best Playing Conditions 2017 La Purisima Golf Course – Santa Barbara County

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 Rams Hill Golf Course - San Diego County
Best Playing Conditions 2017 Rams Hill Golf Course – San Diego County

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 Pelican Hill Golf Club - Orange County
Best Playing Conditions 2017 Pelican Hill Golf Club – Orange County

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Best Playing Conditions 2017 Quail Lodge & Golf Club - Central California
Best Playing Conditions 2017 Quail Lodge & Golf Club – Central California

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